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The Night Shift

During the day our showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) is visited by the usual sun-loving suspects: bumble bees, sweat bees, hover flies, butterflies, and so on. I was curious about what happens after dark, though, so I just popped out to have a look. It’s nearly as active at night, too, but with a different set of species!

I don't normally think of mosquitoes as pollinators, but our goldenrod was covered with mosquitoes sipping nectar. This one is a male.

And this – Based on visible pollen smeared on mouthparts and bellies, I have the impression the day crew (and the beetles thatwork into the night) are the more effective pollinators. But maybe those fine little moth proboscides move pollen more precisely and efficiently???